Biggest Loser: Do They Eat? Plus Idol Weight Watch

The Biggest Loser loves to show us all the hard work the contestants put into their workouts, but how come we never really see them make breakfast, lunch or dinner? Who cares about soda? And the Diet Diva is on Idol watch so watch yo weight ya'll!

First I'll start with the least exciting as I have not written an insightful blog in quite some time. The tryouts on American Idol are in full swing! I don't really like to watch these segments when they air. I DO wish they would re-air them once the contestants have been whittled down to the top 8 or something. Recently Idol alumns have alleged that being a finalist on the show caused them to gain weight. I previously have said they all seem to slim down after they strike gold, landing their own record deal or win the actual show. Therefore, if you guys have TiVo or a DVR, I encourage you to tape the tryouts and then watch the finale. If the contestants have indeed gained weight, I will put aside my ego and admit that just because they got famous and learned what the pressures of Hollywood were really like were not the only reasons they lost weight.




OK NEXT, we have my beef with The Biggest Loser. I watch it so that I can blog about it, and maybe steal some of their tips or fitness moves. But lately I have taken particular notice that we are constantly shown footage of them getting in that "last workout" and grunting and sweating and oh my gosh, "Is he gonna die?" I think I would kick ass as a Trainer. I would be just like Jillian. But, if they were my clients for our last chance before weigh-in, I would probably give them diuretics, wear really warm clothing, and make them sweat a lot! What?! It's a competition isn't it? I am TOTALLY KIDDING of course! But it does cross my mind why they are lifting weights before the final weigh-in because weights increase muscle mass which in turn weigh more than fat which would.... add pounds instead of lose them? Maybe? Am I throwing out all my credibility or did it already vanish? Whatever, clearly I'm not a trainer. I just do what mine tells me to do.

The thing that annoys me about the show I've realized, is that only once in awhile they show you what the contestants are eating or how to prepare a similar meal. I had to read the book to find out their diet. It's smart and healthy, something people like you and I can do! However, working out 8 hours a day is not something you or I can do. Why do they show us footage of things we can't take away any tips from? Is this show meant to be watch by people who don't need any tips? Now I'm rambling. If anyone disagrees with me, please post a comment because it's on during the same time slot as American Idol, and I kind of watched both.

January 30, 2008

Country Stars Ditch Fried Chicken 4 Fitness

Last week, People magazine's BodyWatch gave us the inside scoop on how country singing sensations are dropping pounds. Here I thought southern folk all enjoyed the slow pace of living and good old fried chicken? Who knew?

Well, in all honesty I knew as soon as Carrie Underwood was crowned American Idol that she would soon slim down. I mean, the girl went from college senior to best female vocalist. When I graduated college, I slimmed down a good 20 lbs in 4 months... without really trying. I guess I tried a little bit, but it would've been more of an effort to keep the weight on. Too much partying, late night food, then too hung over to workout and needed the grease to feel better so I could study all day. Yeah, it's a rut you get into.

Carrie tells People she shed her baby weight (or freshmen 15 as I would prefer) by amping up her cardio. After she won season 4 of AI, she decided to slim down but didn't change her diet or fitness routine radically to do so (OMG, are we like the same person). Underwood says she does not workout with a trainer, but does "lots of cardio." She watched what she easts, but Underpants is a longtime vegetarian. She was actually voted sexiest vegetarian by PETA this past year. Her tips for people like us are to carry a snack around with you at all times. She always has a kashi bar in her little purse on the red carpet. Maybe that's not something we relate to, but maybe when you're shopping and pull out a snack you can say, "I'm pulling a Carrie Underwood, duh."

Following with AI trend, People also profiles none other than, Kellie "bricks for brains" Pickler. Seriously, watch a few clips when she was on "Are you smarter than a 5th grader." She really is that dumb or trying to pull the biggest JSimp ever on us. Pickler dropped 17 lbs since appearing on Idol in March '07, when rumors swirled of a breast augmentation. She claims she does not diet, doesn't give anything up and hits the gym only when it fits her busy schedule. Huh? How did she lose the weight then? She claims she is drinking more water and no longer eating when she isn't truly hungry. She says, "It's not about losing weight anymore, it's about getting everything to stop flopping around!" Her cardio of choice when she time are swimming, running or playing a game of football with her band (with her new set of twins I'm sure it's no contact).

Now quickly onto the boring country stars we don't really care about:
LeAnn Rimes has gotten really into Yoga, and does circuit training. Yes she has a trainer, she can bench press her weight which is very impressive in my opinion, and keeps her tour bus stocked with healthy choices like cottage cheese, turkey, fruit and whole-grain breads.

Jewel (who knew she was considered country?) says she workouts with a trainer, and loves to do 'hot-yoga' when she is in Nashville. She lives in Texas so I'm not sure how often that might be, but People found it interesting enough to print. She works out for an hour 5-times a week ocmbining weight cardio and ... football exercises. Yes, football. She eats whole grains and lean protein (obv) and the occasional dark chocolate! Jewel says no to the elliptical because it's boring. I say no to the elliptical because I don't feel like I truly get a workout.

Thanks People Bodywatch! I can't weight for next week's bar raising journalism.

January 28, 2008

Carrie Underwood is Practical

Every interview I read with 24 year old American Idol winner seems to be about how she's a regular person with a huge talent.



And she's a babe!

Underwood told Cosmopolitan that she's shy and "horrible around guys" – and hasn't had a serious relationship since she split with college boyfriend Drake Clark in 2005.

Although she's been asked out frequently since winning the FOX show, Carrie worries about that age-old question: "Does he just want his picture in a magazine?"

Regardless, the Southern girl is taking care of her health. She is a vegetarian and her favorite food is pizza, but she ditched rich Southern fare. “It’s important not to have a whole lot of junk food lying around,” says Underwood.

PETA actually recently announced the star as the World's Sexiest Vegetarian. Not bad!

As for her workout, she says, “I really don’t get to exercise that much, but I do run around onstage every night.”



"I gained weight on Idol, but I didn't starve myself afterward," she says. "I may think about it a little too much. I might feel guilty if I eat a pizza. But I've tried to be healthy and exercise as much as I can. If that's made me lose weight, I guess I needed to."

September 18, 2007